LES GOLDMAN

" I love it when a plan comes together! "

Obituary

Leslie (“Les”) Jay Goldman, 80, of Chevy Chase, Maryland, passed away peacefully on
August 15, 2025. Born April 22, 1945, in Chicago, Illinois, Les grew up working in his
parents’ small-goods-store on the South Side of Chicago. He demonstrated creativity,
passion for life, and dedication to hard work from a young age. In high school, Les
designed and built a model concept car from scratch, placing third nationally in the
prestigious Fisher Body Craftsman’s guild competition and earning a scholarship that
made him the first member of his family to attend college.
After earning his undergraduate degree in 1967 and a law degree in 1970 from the
University of Michigan, Les joined Adlai E. Stevenson’s Senate campaign and moved to
Washington, D.C., after Stevenson’s victory, serving as Special Counsel from 1970 to
1977. In 1977, he became Assistant Administrator for Energy Resource Development at
the Federal Energy Administration and also contributed to the White House Office of
Energy Policy and Planning, helping to formulate the National Energy Plan.
When President Carter established the Department of Energy, Les joined Secretary
James Schlesinger in 1977 as Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for Policy and
Evaluation. In 1979, the Senate confirmed Les as Assistant Secretary of Energy for
Policy and International Affairs. His work included international diplomatic missions,
including trips to China and Europe, where he advanced U.S. energy policy on the
global stage.

In 1981, Les joined Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom as a partner, working with a
team to found and lead the firm’s energy practice. Les’s legal career spanned more than
30 years and included a diverse array of clients and projects, from energy and
technology companies, to a NASCAR team and a vineyard. In 2011, he joined
Northwest Biotherapeutics as Senior Vice President of Business Development and
General Counsel, contributing passionately to the development of cancer-fighting
treatments. Beyond his professional achievements, Les was a Broadway producer for
the Tony-nominated play Enchanted April and served as an executive of Smith
Television Broadcasting.

Les embraced life fully and pursued new challenges throughout adulthood. He took up
tennis at 34, scuba diving at 50, and skiing at 51. Above all, Les cherished his family.
He and his beloved wife, Sue, shared 55 years of marriage. He was the proud father of
two sons, Scott Goldman (Rebecca) and Evan Goldman (Rosie); loving grandfather of
Michael, Adam, Miriam, and Anna; brother of Idene; and good friend of his cherished
Golden Retriever Quincy (and many pets before).

Les’s life was marked by generosity and integrity to the very end. Following his passing,
his family honored his wish to serve as an organ donor. Les is remembered not only for
his extraordinary career and fun spirit, but also for his warmth, humor, and unmatched
determination and belief in the future.

Survived by: Wife Sue; sons Scott (Rebecca) and Evan (Rosie); grandchildren
Michael, Adam, Miriam, and Anna; sister Idene; and Golden Retriever Quincy.

Other Highlights & Milestones

Les loved to challenge himself and was always pursuing new passions and hobbies.  Some of the highlights include:

– At age 34 Les took up Tennis and it became a lifelong passion.

– At age 50 Les took up Scuba Diving.

– At age 51 Les took up Skiing, traveling all over to places like Hidden Valley, Vail, Sun Valley, Aspen, Park City, Telluride, and Jackson Hole.

– At age 58 Les helped produced a play on Broadway, "Enchanted April", and attended the 2003 Tony Awards.

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